Installing valve trim in a vavle assembly

ABSTRACT

A tool configured for use to assemble and install trim into a steam conditioning valve. These configurations can include a device that mounts in place of a bonnet and an actuator that technicians remove from the valve. The device can cantilever the trim assembly, essentially providing a platform on which technicians can slide the trim assembly into the valve body (or out of the valve body) to complete install or repair of the device. As an added benefit, technicians can also use the device to assemble the trim in proximity to the subject valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a by-pass continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2022/078134, filed on Oct. 14, 2022, and entitled “INSTALLINGTRIM IN A VALVE ASSEMBLY,” which claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Ser. No. 17/504,658, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,517,987, filed on Oct. 19,2021, and entitled “INSTALLING TRIM IN A VALVE ASSEMBLY.” The content ofthese applications is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Flow controls play a large role in many industrial facilities. Powerplants and industrial process facilities, for example, use differenttypes of flow controls to manage flow of material, typically fluids,throughout vast networks of pipes, tanks, generators, and otherequipment. Steam conditioning valves are useful to reduce pressure andtemperature of steam. These valves require a particularly robust designto accommodate the extremely high temperatures (up to 650° C.) andpressures typical of many applications. This design includes certaincomponents, like a valve body that connects to the pipes or pipeline.The valve body houses a valve trim assembly that typically includes adiffuser, a cage, and a moveable closure member. It is not uncommon thatthe valve body mounts horizontally in these systems. This orientationmay complicate assembly of the valve trim into the valve body. Spaceconstraints, for example, can frustrate use of certain equipment that isnecessary to lift, hold, or support the heavy, metal pieces of the valvetrim.

SUMMARY

The subject matter of this disclosure relates to improvements thataddress these space constraints. Of particular interest here areembodiments that facilitate install of a valve trim assembly into ahorizontally-oriented valve body. These embodiments can secure in placeof a bonnet part of the steam conditioning valve and an actuator thatcontrols flow through the device. One benefit of the proposed design isthat the embodiments fit within the envelope that the actuator forms inthe space around the valve body. This feature avoids interference withadjacent equipment that can frustrate the ability of technicians toefficiently install or service the flow control. As an added benefit,embodiments of the proposed design may also serve as a stand or astanchion that technicians can use to assemble parts of the valve trimtogether in proximity to the valve body. Technicians may take advantageof hardware that comes with the device, for example, as part of aninstallation “kit” or “system.” This hardware can integrate with thedevice structure to secure it to a platform or grating to receive thediffuser, the cage, and the closure member.

DRAWINGS

Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a tool;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective of exemplary structure for the tool of FIG.1 ;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of exemplary structure for the tool ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the example of FIG. 3 in positionon a flow control;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the example of FIG. 3 in positionon a flow control;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the example of FIG. 3 in positionon a platform;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the example of FIG. 3 in positionon a platform;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the example of FIG. 3 in positionon a platform; and

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of the example of FIG. 3 in positionon a platform.

Where applicable, like reference characters designate identical orcorresponding components and units throughout the several views, whichare not to scale unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments disclosedherein may include elements that appear in one or more of the severalviews or in combinations of the several views. Moreover, methods areexemplary only and may be modified by, for example, reordering, adding,removing, and/or altering the individual stages.

The drawings and any description herein use examples to disclose theinvention. These examples include the best mode and enable any personskilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and usingany devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Anelement or function recited in the singular and proceeded with the word“a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of saidelements or functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.References to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” should not beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments orimplementations that also incorporate the recited features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The discussion now turns to describe features of the embodiments shownin the drawings noted above. These features may facilitate assembly andrepair of flow controls, including steam conditioning valves, which findreference in the discussion below. These valves are known to controlsteam pressure and temperature in process plants. Notably, the devicesfor use in these applications are large and heavy, often made of steeland comparable metals. These features make the valves and their partsparticular unwieldy for technicians to handle or move without the needfor equipment, like cranes or hoists. As noted above, the task toinstall the valve into a process line or to repair the valve at itslocation affords some particular challenges, including space constraintsthat can limit the size of this equipment that would otherwise helptechnicians to complete the job at hand. The embodiments herein,however, may forego the need for some of this equipment. Otherembodiments may be within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of an install tool 100.This example is found at a distribution system 102, typically designedto carry material 104 throughout a network of conduit 106. The tool 100may connect to a flow control 108, shown here with a valve body 110 thathas an internal chamber 112 and openings (e.g., an inlet I, an outlet O,and a trim opening T). The flow control 108 may have a trim assembly 114that installs inside of the chamber 112. The trim assembly 114 mayinclude a cage 116, a diffuser 118, and a closure member 120, that canmove to positions relative to a seat (inside the valve body 110) toregulate flow of material 104. The flow control 108 may also have anactuator 122 that manages these positions of the closure member 120. Asalso shown, the tool 100 may include a support 124 that can receive thetrim assembly 114 in position for technicians to install it into theflow control 108.

Broadly, the install tool 100 may be configured to facilitate assemblyand service of valves. These configurations may include devices that cansimplify a technician's job. The devices may replace existing tooling,for example, conventional “beam-style” fixtures that often don't fit ator near the device under install or repair. As noted herein, devices ofthe proposed design do not run into these space limitations; rather itsmore likely that the proposed design will provide technicians with amplespace to complete their tasks, often in less time and with much lesseffort.

The distribution system 102 may be configured to deliver or moveresources. These configurations may embody vast infrastructure. For thisexample, material 104 is high pressure, high temperature steam; butmaterial 104 could also comprise other gases, liquids, solids, or mixes,as well. The conduit 106 may include pipes or pipelines, often thatconnect to turbines, condensers, boilers, and the like. The pipes mayalso connect to tanks or reservoirs or even to residential homes orcommercial properties. In many facilities, this equipment forms complexnetworks with limited space between adjacent equipment.

The flow control 108 may be configured to regulate flow of steam throughthe conduit 106 in these complex networks. These configurations mayinclude steam conditioning valves and like devices. The valve body 110in such devices is often made of cast or machined metals. This structureoften forms a flange at the openings I, O, T. Adjacent pipes 106 mayconnect to the openings I, O to allow steam 104 to flow through theinternal chamber 112, often through an opening in a seat. Flow istypically in a direction from the “upstream” opening I to the“downstream” opening O. The trim assembly 114 helps to regulate thisflow. The diffuser 116 and the cage 118 may comprise perforated members,like a cylinder, that is meant to reduce noise and vibration. Theclosure member 120 may embody a metal disc or metal “plug.” The actuator122 may couple to the valve body at the opening T. This device may usepneumatics or hydraulics to regulate movement of the plug 118. Theposition of the plug 120 may correspond with at least a pair ofoperating states that manage flow of steam 104 through the seat. A firstor “open” state allows steam 104 to flow through the opening in theseat. A second or “closed” state can wholly prohibit flow of steam 104through the opening in the seat. In one implementation, a change inpressure can cause the plug 120 to move between its operating states.This change may cause the device to actuate from is normally open stateto its closed state to immediately shut off flow of the steam downstreamof the valve body 110.

The support 124 may be configured to hold components of the trimassembly 114. These configurations may include structures that mount tothe valve body 110, for example, at the opening T in place of theactuator 122. These structures may comprise metals, like steel, orcomparable materials of robust design and integrity to cantilever theweight of the trim assembly 114 off the valve body 110. Technicians mayuse the device to remove the trim assembly 114 and to install the trimassembly 114, as desired. For install, technicians may place the trimassembly 114 on the support 124 and, when ready, push the trim assembly114 into the internal chamber 112 to locate the diffuser 116, the cage118, and the plug 120 inside of the valve body 110. Once complete,technicians may remove the support 124 from the opening T and attach theactuator 122 in its place.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of an example of the tool 100 of FIG.1 . In this example, the support 124 stands upright on its first end126. This orientation exposes its second end 128 to receive parts of thetrim assembly 116. Stabilizing hardware 130 may secure the first end 126to a platform P. In one implementation, the upright orientation mayallow technicians to assemble the trim assembly 116 prior to installinto the valve body 110 (FIG. 1 ). This feature may allow for assemblyto occur in proximity to the flow control 108, for example, at theinstalled location for a steam conditioning valve in the process network102. In this way, technicians may first assemble the trim assembly 114and elevate it using a hoist or crate from the support 124. Techniciansmay then detach the support 124 from the platform P and install it ontothe valve body 110 for use to install the assembled trim 114 into theinterior chamber 112, as noted above.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of exemplary structure of the support124. The ends 126, 128 may include plates 132, shown here having au-shape or horseshoe configuration. This configuration may form an openportion 134 between opposing terminated ends 136. On the first end 126,the terminated ends 136 of the plate 132 (or “first plate”) may includethrough-holes 138 and threaded-holes 138 a that are perpendicular to thethrough-holes 138. The middle of the plates 132 may have a centralopening 140. The plate 132 may also have a lower boss 142 with anaperture 144, which may also be a through-hole. A rod 146 may installinto the through-hole 144 and extend between the plates 132 on the ends126, 128. In one implementation, the support 124 may also includeinterposing structure 148 between the ends 126, 128. The structure 148may include elongate members, shown here as flat plates made of steel orsuitable metals. These members may attach to the plates 132. Welds maybe well-suited for this purpose; however, fasteners like bolts and nutsmay be useful as well. One construction may include opposing upperplates 150 with cutouts 152 that populate all or part of their length. Aset of lower plates 154 may reside in proximity to the upper plates 150.The plates 150, 154 may attach to one another along all or part of theiradjacent edges. The lower plates 154 may include an arrangement ofopenings 156 through the material. This arrangement may form rows andcolumns of equally or evenly spaced holes. In this example, two rows ofholes extend along the length of the lower plates 154.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the support 124 in its mountedposition on the valve body 110. The first plate mates to the exposedflange at the trim opening T on the valve body 110 in place of a bonnetpart of the valve and the actuator (not shown). The u-shape of the firstplate is configured for the through-holes 138 to align with a pair ofbolts B that populate the exposed flange. These bolts are in a patternto normally receive the bonnet and the actuator (not shown). Techniciansmay use set screws 158 that thread into the threaded holes 138 a toensure that the inner surface of the opening 140 aligns with the innersurface of the trim opening T into the inner chamber 112 on the valvebody 110. This feature provides a smooth, uniform transition fortechnicians to “push” the trim assembly (not shown) from the support 124into the valve body 110 or to “pull” the trim assembly (not shown) ontothe support 124 as well. Once aligned, technicians may use nuts 160 tosecure the support 124 in its place on the valve body 110. In oneimplementation, the first plate has geometry for it to fit inside theinner diameter of the pattern of bolts B. This geometry may also locatethe lower boss 142 between adjacent bolts B as well.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the support 124 also in its mountedposition on the valve body 110. Space between the upper plates 150 mayallow for the trim assembly 114 to lay horizontally in the support 124.Technicians may use a crane or hoist to lift the trim assembly 114 intoposition above the support 124. The crane may orient the trim assembly114 vertically at first so that the diffuser 116 inserts first into thespace between the upper plates 150. The diffuser 116 may contact thelower plates 154 and, in turn, operate as a pivot for technicians torotate the trim assembly 114 downward for the cage 118 (and the plug120) to reside proximate the plate 132 on the end 128 (or “secondplate”). Once in its horizontal position, technicians can move or “push”the trim assembly 114 into the trim opening T into the inner chamber 112on the valve body 110. This step may require use of pry tool (e.g., prybar or screw driver) that can insert into the openings 156 (FIG. 3 ),often in sequential manner from the openings 156 closest to the secondplate to the openings 156 closest to the first plate.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the support 124 in its upright or“assembly” position. Several brackets 162 may serve to secure the firstplate on the platform P. The brackets 162 may include a plate 164 thatextends over part of the first plate. A u-member 166 may extend belowthe platform P; this device may also have opposing portions 168 thatstick through openings in the plate 164. The opposing portions canreceive nuts 170 that, when tightened onto the plate 164, cause thebrackets 162 to clamp the first plate in position to maintain thesupport 124 in the upright position.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 also depict a perspective view of the support 124 inits upright position. FIG. 7 shows the support 124 after techniciansinsert the diffuser 116 into the opening 140 (FIG. 3 ) on the secondplate. As shown, the opening 140 (FIG. 3 ) on the second plate may besized so that the “seat ring” of the diffuser 116 contacts the secondplate. This feature exposes a portion of the diffuser 116 above thesecond plate for subsequent steps to assembly the trim assembly 114. Forexample, as best shown in FIG. 8 , technicians may place the cage 118(preferably in combination with the plug 120) onto and over the exposedportion of the diffuser 116. Set screws S may install around theperiphery of the cage 118. These set screws may securely engage with thediffuser 116 to create the single trim assembly 114. In FIG. 9 ,technicians may attach a hoist or crane to the trim assembly 114 to liftit out of the support 124, after which technicians may remove thebrackets 162 and mount the support 124 to the exposed flange of thevalve body 110, as noted above.

In view of the foregoing, the improvements here simply assembly andmaintenance of steam conditioning valves and other flow controls intheir installed location. The embodiments provide a multi-use tool thatoperates both to localize assembly of the trim assembly for these valvesand to simplify install of the trim assembly into the valve as well. Thefeatures of this tool fit within the generally narrow space constraintsfound onsite that can prohibit use of other, conventional transoms orsupporting hardware. Moreover, functioning of the tool to allow for“local” assembly of the trim can save on labor time, while alsopromoting safety considerations for technicians as they handle theselarge, heavy, and often unwieldy pieces of equipment in the field.

Examples appear below that include certain elements or clauses one ormore of which may be combined with other elements and clauses todescribe embodiments contemplated within the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. The scope may include and contemplate other examples thatoccur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended tobe within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements thatdo not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus, comprising: a support structure thathangs off a flow control in place of an actuator, the support structurecomprising: a first end that engages with bolts on the flow control; acradle coupled with the first end, the cradle having members thatcantilever a trim assembly found inside of the flow control; and setscrews that engage with the bolts for adjusting a surface of the cradleto align with a surface inside of the flow control.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 21, wherein the cradle comprises a plate on the first end withopenings to engage the bolts on the flow control.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 21, wherein the cradle comprises a plate on the first end withopenings to locate the set screws in proximity to the bolts on the flowcontrol.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cradle comprises aplate on the first end with a central opening having a diameter largerthan components of the trim assembly.
 25. The apparatus of claim 21,wherein the cradle comprises a plate on the first end with a u-shape andopenings to locate the set screws in proximity to the bolts on the flowcontrol.
 26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cradle comprisesplates disposed at the first end and a second end of the supportstructure and a rod that connects the plates together.
 27. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein the cradle comprises plates disposed at either endthat have a u-shape.
 28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the cradlecomprises plates disposed at either end that have a u-shape.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the members have openings disposed alongtheir length.
 30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the members permitaccess for tools to extend therethrough.
 31. An apparatus, comprising: asupport structure having an end configured to mount to ahorizontally-oriented flow control, the support structure comprising anadjustment for adjusting a surface to align with a surface inside of theflow control.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the adjustmentraises and lowers the surface.
 33. The apparatus of claim 31, whereinthe adjustment contacts bolts on the horizontally-oriented flow control.34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the adjustment comprises setscrews.
 35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the adjustment comprisesset screws that contact bolts on the horizontally-oriented flow control.36. A method, comprising: securing a support structure to a platform ina first orientation; assembling a trim assembly for a flow control inthe support structure; removing the trim assembly; securing the supportstructure to the flow control in a second orientation that is differentfrom the first orientation; and inserting the trim assembly into thesupport structure, wherein the support structure is configured tocantilever the trim assembly relative to the steam condition valve. 37.The method of claim 36, wherein the first orientation orients a centralaxis of the support structure vertically.
 38. The method of claim 36,wherein the second orientation orients a central axis of the supportstructure horizontally.
 39. The method of claim 36, further comprising:pushing the trim assembly into the flow control.
 40. The method of claim36, further comprising: installing the trim assembly into the flowcontrol; removing the support structure from the flow control; andinstalling an actuator in place of the support structure.